'Best of Manhattan' Showcases Women-Owned Businesses

Oct 17, 2017 10:07PM
● Published by Jeanne Fratello

As women-owned businesses in Manhattan Beach continue to thrive, the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce this year is recognizing them as a category unto themselves for the first time. The chamber has named four finalists, who will be honored at the "Best of Manhattan" awards event on Thursday night.

"With so many women-owned businesses in Manhattan Beach, we felt the Best
of Manhattan Awards would be a fantastic opportunity to recognize these
outstanding businesses," said Jill Brunkhardt, the chair of the Best of Manhattan committee. "We try to change the awards up each year, and
we felt this year was the right time
for this award. We are really excited about recognizing all of this
year's nominees and winners."

"Manhattan Beach has a vibrant business climate
for all business owners, and particularly for women-owned businesses," said DeAnn Chase, owner of Chase Law Group. "We have
a supportive community that understands the importance of shopping
locally, many of our local businesses are owned by women, and women are
increasingly starting their own businesses."

Angela Bennett, co-owner of Fit On Studios, agreed. "The climate for women-owned business in Manhattan Beach is healthy and
supportive. We have great relationships with Aqua Salon, Trilogy Spa, pages: a bookstore, and Tabula Rasa - just to name a few women-owned businesses. We share ideas and
we support each others' businesses."

Chandra Shaw, owner of Trilogy Spa, called Manhattan Beach "the best place to do business." "Not only do we
have a great community and clients, but we have an incredible group of
business owners supporting each another," said Shaw. "I feel super fortunate to work
together with the hard-working and
inspiring business women in our community."

Karla Salguero, co-owner of Blink Studio with her sister Cindy Strom, agreed. "Growing up with only sisters we were raised to support each other and
always have the other's back," said Salguero. "Starting our small business in Manhattan
Beach has opened our sisterhood and family to a larger group of women
who collaborate and work together to grow. I think that this is what
makes small women owned businesses flourish in this town."

To any woman looking to start a new business in Manhattan Beach, Bennett of Fit On Studios advised, "Go for it! Don't be afraid to ask your friends for help. Women love coming together to support each other."

Blink Studio's Salguero had a similar outlook. "There is definitely a place for more of us in the women-owned businesses
of Manhattan Beach. The only advice I would give is the one embedded
through our childhood, which was
to grow by lifting others. You lift other people as you climb to the top
and in the end the result is a stronger platform for success."

Trilogy's Shaw added that her advice would be to build the best team possible. "It's hard to do business
in California, but if you're lucky enough to do what you love, make sure
you have the best people around you. Our success is solely because
of our incredible Trilogy family."For new business owners - men or women - Chase of Chase Law Group recommended seeking legal counsel before starting a
business. "A 30-minute consultation with a business attorney can save them hours and hours of research, and avoid future disputes with
business partners and clients," she said.

Chase added: "I would also tell them to
attend events hosted by the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, and
get to know as many local business owners as possible. People in our
community are very supportive, and will take time out of their busy
schedules to grab a cup of coffee and mentor new
business owners."

The finalists will be honored at the Best of Manhattan awards starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday night at Verandas Beach House.

The finalists will be honored in the following categories:

Best of Manhattan Award
Manhattan Beach Toyota
Simms Restaurant Group
Zislis Group
Skechers